Art

A portrait is an artistic representation of a person, with a focus on the face and its expression. Its purpose is to display the likeness, personality, and mood of the subject.

Basic proportions of the human face that an artist should consider when drawing a portrait:

The face is generally divided into key proportional sections:

• The eyeline is halfway between the top of the head and the chin.

• The nose base is halfway between the eyeline and chin.

• The mouth is about one-third of the way down from the nose base to the chin.

• The hairline is about one-quarter of the way down from the top of the head to the eyeline.

Generally, the hairline to brow (1) = the browline to nose-tip (2) = nose tip to chin (3).

If you think of these as equal lengths, you then have a starting point to compare to your subject. There are infinite variations of course, so this is just a beginning. The centre lines of the eyes and mouth are generally 1/3 down within their segments & the eyes are approx. one eye width apart in a front on view. 

The ears are on average positioned in line with the brow and nose tip.

SYMMETRY

Most human faces exhibit bilateral symmetry, meaning that both sides of the face are nearly identical. This helps artists ensure facial features are proportionally placed and balanced.

Radial symmetry- symmetry about a central axis, as in a starfish or a tulip flower.

Ways to find the line of symmetry in a face: One method is using the center of the nose as a reference. Another way is to fold a photograph in half along the center of the face.

The face should be divided into sections using horizontal and vertical lines: 

A vertical line down the center for symmetry. 

Horizontal lines for the eyeline, nose base, mouth, and hairline.

A photograph serves as a reference for facial structure, symmetry, and proportions. By drawing guidelines on the photo, artists can accurately place facial features before sketching.

Shading adds depth, dimension, and realism. It helps define facial contours, shadows, and highlights.

A range of 3-5 values should be used to show highlights, mid-tones, and shadows for a realistic effect.

FACE SHAPES